Catholic Church's lack of respect for war soldiers

Dear sir - Once again Remembrance Day has come and in many places on the 11th hour of the 11th month, services are held to remember those who have fallen. I commend President McAleese and her husband for their attendance again this year at the Remembrance Service in St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin. Many of Meath's sons have also paid the ultimate sacrifice and yet I am not aware of any similar service in County Meath. On the back wall of the Church of Ireland Cathedral in Trim there is a brass tablet with the names of local men who have fallen in the first and second wars. Each year Rev Robert Jones reads out the names and family members attend even though, like me, they are not members of the Church of Ireland. They very much appreciate this naming of their relatives in such a dignified manner and the playing of the Last Post on the church organ by Mrs Kimberley bringing an end this dignified tribute. Perhaps tributes also take place in other Church of Ireland churches in County Meath, however it begs the question: Why is it that the names are these men (many from well know Trim families and no doubt were Catholics when they died) not also remembered in the Catholic Churches in Trim on this Remembrance Day? This lack of respect by the Catholic Church countrywide may have added fuel to the sometimes quoted 'they took the King's shilling' which is an insult to their families! With the signing of the Good Friday Agreement and sharing of power in Northern Ireland and the Irish Government encouraging us all to play our part in the Peace Process, isn't it time to close this sad chapter to memory of the sons of Meath who it is said fought with British Forces for the freedom of small nations or perhaps they did it just to buy food for their parents, brothers and sisters back home in Meath or indeed in Trim. Let us in future have a public Remembrance Service which does justice to the memory of all who have fallen in past conflicts, irrespective of their allegiances, their motives, their religious beliefs or none or their place of death in the Somme, the GPO, the Middle East, Africa or elsewhere. I hope, with the support of Trim Town Council, to have a tablet made of Meath limestone erected in a public place in Trim with the names of all fallen in past conflicts erected in a public place, where the relatives, friends and the public can remember those men from Trim who fell in conflicts many years ago on foreign lands can at last be remembered in their home town in a respectful way each November. Perhaps the Town Councils in Navan and Kells might also consider doing something similar. Anyone wishing to assist in this project, please telephone (046) 943 1515. Cllr Phil Cantwell, Trim Town Council.